Tag Archives: gifts

QUESTION: What gift could you possible get for a friend or relative who attracts obnoxious swarms of biting, stinging and irksome insects?

ANSWER: Hair.

Seriously? Seriously. Nearly a year ago, the media was reporting that nurses stationed at hospitals in Auckland, New Zealand, were being attacked by swarms of biting insects. The nurses reportedly resorted to wearing flea collars around their ankles to protect themselves from infestations at the hospitals. These flea collars were, however, designed for use by dogs, cats and other pets, and they therefore contained toxins and other harmful chemicals that could prove dangerous to humans. At least one hospital therefore suggested that its staff consider using electronic flea collars, which are apparently a more appropriate, dignified and stylish alternative.

Ecolab, the company responsible for pest management at most hospitals in Auckland, essentially dismissed the claims. It reportedly explained that the irritations suffered by nurses may not be caused by real insects but instead could be caused by imaginary bugs. The company also allegedly theorized that marks on the skin that resemble insect bites may actually be caused by static electricity.

That’s right: schooled, trained and licensed medical professionals entrusted to save human lives were now unable to differentiate between swarms of biting insects and the type of electric shock you receive when you touch a doorknob after scuttling around in socks.

Well, static electricity is apparently contagious. Employees at the largest casino in Auckland later complainedthat they were also suffering from similar attacks from swarms of insec…. er… electric shocks. They also began wearing flea collars around their ankles to protect themselves from bites… uh… electric shocks. Not surprisingly, the casino’s management allegedly dismissed the claims. A spokesperson for the casino reportedlyexplained that

[m]ost large carpeted buildings that are frequented by the public encounter some degree of an issue with biting insects… We have thorough proactive pest control measures in place and are confident that we are providing a safe and healthy facility for our staff and customers.

Credit a group of scientists with a recent discovery that may serve as a more practical means for combating the infestations than insect repellant and flea anklets. According to a recent report in Biology Letters, a bi-monthly publication that purports to carry cutting-edge research articles, ectoparasites – the technical name for bedbugs – can be thwarted by hair. The report was submitted by a team of scientists from Sheffield, England, that conducted an experiment that revealed that bedbugs placed on shaved arms were more likely to attack than bedbugs placed on unshaved arms. They theorized that body hair slowed attacks by bedbugs because the bedbugs were unable to find an appropriate location to feast.

This discovery may not lead to a perfect or ideal solution, simply because the experiment was limited to attacks by bedbugs and not swarms of other nagging insects. At the very least, though, the recent revelation offers hope and promise to the victims during the forthcoming holiday season. It’s a Christmas miracle, Charlie Brown!

This little nugget of joy also means that Rogaine has suddenly become a fitting gift for balding friends and relatives. Your friends and relatives will no longer take offense at the implications; they’ll simply be thankful and appreciative of your kindness and generosity. They’ll also applaud your gifts of specially formulated shampoos and conditioners designed to stimulate the growth of hair and cutting-edge hair rejuvenation systems.

Want to really splurge on that special someone? Consider the Hands Free Hair Rejuvenation System that’s now sold at the Sharper Image. It’s an electric metal hat that resembles some odd combination of a bicycle crash helmet and the robotic maid from the Jetsons. I’m guessing that it also makes an ideal fashion statement for trendy and stylish recipients.

So. There you have it. Any product that purports to stimulate the growth of hair is clearly the most appropriate gift for someone who attracts obnoxious swarms of biting, stinging and irksome insects. You’ll never disparage late-night infomercials again.

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